Verbal accuracy ^A_91

Now read the following passage through carefully, then rewrite it putting the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

As soon as I (notice) that Maria (can) not pronounce her `s'es, I (make) an appointment to (see) the doctor. He (tell) me that she (grow) out of it naturally. I not (believe) that and, consequently, I (get) in touch with my old school friend who (lived) near us. She still (work) as a speech-therapist in a local hospital and she (take) the matter seriously and (send) me back to my doctor. Although a month or so (elapse), Maria's lip (grow) appreciably worse, and that (help) to convince the doctor. Maria (see) by the consultant two months ago and (have) treatment for three weeks already. In my opinion she (make) progress and I (be) confident that in another month or so she (cure).

Tense test ^A_102

In the passage below, verbs are mainly given in the infinitive form; you task is to put them into the correct tense form.

The moment she (1- to turn) the corner, Jill (2- to notice) that her front door (3- to stand) open. She definitely (4- to shut) it when she (5- to go) out, and her flat- mate, Louisa, not (6- to say) that she (7- to come) this evening. Jill (8- to slacken) her pace, (9- to think) what she (10- can) do. If she (11- to ask) her neighbours (12- to accompany) her and it (13- to turn out) that there (14- to be) no one there, then she (15- to look) a fool. On the other hand, if she (16- to enter) the flat alone, and (17- to find) an intruder there, it (18- can) end very badly.

`This never (19- to happen) to me before,' Jill (20- to think), `and I (21- to hope) it never (22- to happen) again.'

Answers to `Verbal accuracy'

1. noticed

2. could

3. made

4. to see

5. told

6. would grow

7. did not believe

8. got

9. lives

10. works

11. took

12. sent

13. had elapsed

14. had grown

15. helped

16. was seen

17. has been

18. having

19. has made

20. am

21. will be cured

Answers to `Tense test'

1. turned

2. noticed

3. was standing

4. had shut

5. went

6. had (not0 said

7. would come

8. slackened

9. thinking

10. could

11. asked

12. to accompany

13. turned out

14. was

15. would look

16. entered

17. found

18. could

19. has (never) happened

20. thought

21. hope

22. will happen

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